For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name.
(Psalms 33:21)

Wednesday, June 03, 2009

WARNING!! PICTURES OF BALUT!!!

I don't know how *I* got wrangled into this. I was supposed to sit there and laugh at Ryan and take pictures.

I did laugh though, especially when he nearly lost the balut along with the pansit we enjoyed for lunch.

This is a Filipino snack. It's a duck egg with the duck embryo inside, boiled. You are supposed to crack it open, suck out the juice, and eat the yoke and the ducky. It's about three bites, unless your mouth is humongous. It tastes like....boiled egg. Go figure.

"I can't believe I'm actually doing this!"

Here is my egg

We were told we had to do this, too.

Uh-Oh!

Must. Swallow.

I'm trying to be cool. Note the delight in the face behind me!

Warning! This is the picture of what we ate! If you have a weak tummy, just stop right here. If you think this is fun, click on the image for even more goriness.

These pictures are quite similar to the ones we took on our Friend Day last August - even down to the delighted laughs and smiles of our Filipino members! LOL What is missing is my husband or myself eating balut!

Balut is major yuckiness. I have seen grown men vomit from balut. I have made it my business to stay away from the Filipino tables at mission conferences around the county. If I'm not close they can't, offer. BRAVO, for being brave enough or crazy enough to try it!

Balut is offered in 3 different styles. 16 days old, still basically an egg. 18 days old, somewhat more advanced, and 21 days old, Almost ready to hatch. If you find yourself in a situation like this that someone insists that you try Balut, GENTLY counter insist that you be provided with a balut no older than 18 days unless you are willing to put beak, feathers, and soft bones into your mouth. A pinch of rock salt will help a lot. It is inappropriate for the host to insist you try 21 days, something Not All Filipinos are willing to do.From a white man who eats Balut and Durian regularly :)

John, I'm so glad you found balut post! These little guys were still soft-they must have been the 18 day variety. It wasn't bad as far as flavor and texture; the difficulty is all mental. It's not something we are used to, that's for sure!My husband's favorite food is menudo, made with beef tripe, and some folks think he's crazy for the same reason.